Newbreed Boxing to stage 'Throwdown in M-Town'

MIDDLETOWN — Virgil Derrick Merino fights the same battle with today's youth as folks trying to lure kids into other sports. He is trying to get them off their video games and phones long enough to dedicate themselves to boxing.

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By KEVIN GLEASON

recordonline.com

By KEVIN GLEASON

Posted Sep. 27, 2013 at 2:00 AM

By KEVIN GLEASON
Posted Sep. 27, 2013 at 2:00 AM

Boxing comes

to MiddleTown

What: amateur boxing card

When: Saturday; doors open at 5 p.m., fights start at 6 p.m.

Where: Newbreed Boxing, 10 E. Main St., Middletown

Tickets: $15 adva...

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Boxing comes

to MiddleTown

What: amateur boxing card

When: Saturday; doors open at 5 p.m., fights start at 6 p.m.

Where: Newbreed Boxing, 10 E. Main St., Middletown

Tickets: $15 advance, $20 at the door

Information: 344-5955

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MIDDLETOWN — Virgil Derrick Merino fights the same battle with today's youth as folks trying to lure kids into other sports. He is trying to get them off their video games and phones long enough to dedicate themselves to boxing.

He is succeeding.

Merino will showcase several kids from his gym in a USA Boxing-sanctioned amateur card — "Throwdown in M-Town'' — on Saturday night. Fighters from Middletown and other parts of Orange County to Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania will make up a card that should, depending on late cancellations, include about a dozen fights.

Merino, 34, born in Brooklyn, opened the Newbreed Boxing gym in 2009 on Dolson Avenue in Middletown. He saw the logistical benefits and expansion opportunities of a gym downtown, and moved in about a year ago. The facility is in the heart of the downtown district on East Main Street, where most locals can make it on foot.

"It's cool because we have lots of people from all walks of life,'' Merino said. "We have white-collar people and people who are not doing so good. We just got non-profit status, so we can really help the kids.''

Merino is encouraged by his membership numbers, about 70, and sees kids starting to spend more time away from screens.

"Kids growing up are lazy and eating bad,'' Merino said. "They are getting carpal tunnel at 12 years old because all they are doing is texting and playing video games. It's kind of resurged a bit. And (mixed martial arts) is getting to the point where they have kind of hit a ceiling with fighters.''

Merino plans to add equipment, expand the front of the gym and add showers. He has certainly hustled in putting together Saturday's card, having secured several sponsors, from local businesses to the Giants. Three local R&B and hip hop artists will perform throughout the night.

The event could be less than welcoming for visitors inside the ring. Merino said his fighters have never lost, going 25-0 under his tutelage.